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Owen Hargreaves marked his Manchester City debut in style by helping to eliminate holders Birmingham, while Everton will also be in the hat for Saturday's fourth-round draw after defeating Premier League rivals West Brom in extra-time.

There was also spot-kick drama in Cardiff's penalty shoot-out win over Leicester, but Southampton made easier work of their tie by maintaining an excellent home record with a win over Preston.

Craig Bellamy's first goal since his return to Liverpool set Kenny Dalglish's men on their way to a 2-1 win at Brighton, while Gerrard made his comeback from a six-month injury absence as a second-half substitute.

Ten-man Chelsea were forced to battle to a penalties against Fulham after Brazilian defender Alex's debatable second-half red card in a 0-0 draw and Andre Villas-Boas' men then dramatically won 4-3 in the shoot-out.

Injury-plagued Hargreaves played his first competitive action since last November and his opening goal on his Manchester City debut helped earn an impressive 2-0 win over Chris Hughton's Birmingham.

Everton staged a dramatic, late comeback to knockout West Brom, as Marouane Fellaini's 89th minute equaliser forced extra-time at Goodison Park before Phil Neville won the match in the 103rd minute.

Sven Goran Eriksson's Leicester drew 2-2 with Cardiff after extra-time in Wales, but the home side then won a tense penalty shoot-out with a 7-6 sudden-death victory.

Southampton's excellent start to the season continued, as Adam Lallana's second-half goal earned Nigel Adkins' Championship table-toppers a 2-1 victory over League One Preston and a 15th successive win at St Mary's.